Small-Sided Games as Additional Training in Elite Basketball Nonstarters Players

Abstract

Introduction: Among the main challenges faced by coaches of team sports are to create an environment and conditions that will enable players to reach their optimal level of physical performance at the start of the competitive season, and to maintain this level throughout the season. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of six weeks of additional training with 3-against-3 (3v3) small-sided games (SSG) on the physical performance of elite nonstarter basketball players. Methods: Eleven professional basketball players (five starters and six nonstarters) performed the same training program throughout the regular season, with the only difference that after each game, the starters (S) performed low intensity shooting drills while the nonstarters (NS) performed half-court 3v3 SSG. At the start and end of the six-week period, the athletes were assessed for muscle power, speed, agility and aerobic power. Two-way analysis of variance and effect sizes were used. Magnitude-based inferential analyses were used to complement the parametric tests. Results: After the six weeks, the S and NS showed improvement (p<0.05) in the squat jump (S=5.8% and NS=7.1%), counter movement jump (S=3.7% and NS=3.6%), 20m-sprint (S=3.4% and NS=2.0%), agility T test (S=3.6% and NS=3.1%) and Yo-yo intermittent recovery (S=5.2% and NS=2.5%). No differences were found between groups and moments. The effect sizes showed moderate effect on agility and little effect on jumping ability, for both groups; moderate, for S, and little, for NS, on speed and aerobic conditioning. Magnitude-based inferences indicated that S were likely to outperform NS in terms of improvement in 20-m sprint ability and possibly also in agility. In regard to the other physical performance variables, the analyses of magnitude-based inferences were inconclusive. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that 3v3 SSG in the short-term on half-court, as an additional training routine for NS, can bring positive results for the physical performance for these players. Level of evidence II; Investigating the Results of Treatment.

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